The Works of DANTE - Issue 1
EUMEDCONNECT
David West is DANTE’s project manager for the EUMEDCONNECT project. The Works of DANTE asked him to explain more about the project and its aims. You can find additional information at www.eumedconnect.net
1. What is the EUMEDCONNECT project?
EUMEDCONNECT is developing a major Internet network in the Mediterranean region that is dedicated to research and education. The network will connect the national research and education networks (NRENs) of the Mediterranean countries, to each other for the first time. It will also give their users access to colleagues in over 3500 research and education Institutions in Europe, by connecting them to the GÉANT network.
2. Who will benefit from the new network?
Partners already successfully connected to the network are Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Turkey. Israel, Malta and Cyprus are also connected through their GÉANT links. Further connections are planned to Egypt, Cyprus and Syria.
3. How is the project funded?
The project receives up to 10M Euros (80%) of its funding from the EU, as part of the EUMEDIS programme. The remainder is provided by the project partners.
4. What is DANTE’s involvement in the project?
DANTE is the co-ordinating partner and is responsible for planning, managing and operating the network. We have evaluated tenders from connectivity service providers and awarded work based on their ability to provide reliable connections at competitive prices. DANTE is then responsible for the running of the network - ensuring its successful operation, and quickly resolving any problems that arise. DANTE also provides training for NREN engineers and a monitoring tools service, which shows the traffic flow on the network at any one time.
5. Which NRENs are partnering DANTE in the project?
There are four European NRENs involved: GARR from Italy, GRNET from Greece, the Spanish NREN RedIRIS, and RENATER, the French NREN. These countries have close historical and cultural ties with the region, as well as a wealth of experience in setting up and running research networks.
6. What is the current situation for research networking in the region?
The Internet remains a scarce and expensive resource in the Mediterranean, and research networks are mainly poorly developed and connected. The EUMEDCONNECT project is addressing this issue. It aims to be a catalyst for improving infrastructure and Internet access for the wider community.
7. What benefits will the project bring to the region?
The project will catalyse the development of research and education networks in the region. It will transform the way Mediterranean researchers
currently work, allowing them to collaborate with their colleagues from all over the world. The project also aims to break the digital divide that exists between Europe and the Mediterranean. A further aim is to strengthen regional relationships and provide a stronger sense of direction.
8. What problems has the project faced?
In several of the participating countries, there was limited cable infrastructure and little or no competition in most of the region. Commercial prices for connectivity are often extremely high, compared to Europe. The project has worked hard to drive these down and achieve best value from the project funds.
The success of the project has led to other initiatives following the methods applied by EUMEDCONNECT. ALICE, SEREEN, and TEIN2 are all using the template.
